Three Countries Facing EU Court Over Industry Laws
BRUSSELS, April 5 (SOAPWIRE) - Belgium, Hungary and Spain face the possibility of separate court action by the European Commission for blocking the free movement of goods within the European Union, the EU's executive arm warned on Wednesday.
The commission begun legal action against Belgium and Hungary on Wednesday, questioning their laws on the importation of biocides and pesticides. Both countries have six weeks to respond before a second and final warning is issued.
Spain received its final warning for failing to allow herbal products to be marketed fairly. Further failure to comply with the commission's wishes will see Spain brought before the European Court of Justice -- the EU's highest court.
The commission warnings come a day after it launched a barrage of legal proceedings against EU member states in energy, transport, telecommunications, tobacco advertising, gambling and other areas.
The EU executive also launched further infringement proceedings on Wednesday against Italy and Cyprus in relation to EU transport laws.
Belgium is being asked to amend its laws relating to the imports of biocides, while Hungary's licensing procedure for the imports of pesticides is "burdensome", the commission said.
Following complaints from a number of companies, the EU authorities have asked Spain to lift a law which classes products with herbal ingredients as medicines which prevents these products from being marketed more easily.
Source: Reuters
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